<br>Everyone here will have heard of the British television series <i>How To Look Good Naked,</I> hosted by Gok Wan, and its eponymous American equivalent. As Micki <a href="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/board/showthread.php?t=1270" target="_blank">described</a> in a forum post a few months back, the program is<p><blockquote><i>a totally different type of "makeover" show. It features full-figured women and shows them how to love themselves without dieting and torturing themselves. Instead they are given advice on dressing to enhance their natural beauty and told that they are beautiful just as they are.</i></blockquote><p>Each episode focusses on a different plus-size "real" woman and her transformation, but climaxes with a runway presentation in which the made-over guest walks the catwalk alongside professional plus-size models. The models who have appeared on the British version of the show have garnered a degree of celebrity in their own right.

Well, Canadian fans of the program will be delighted to know that a made-in-Canada version premiered on the W Network just yesterday. Called <i>How To Look Good Naked Canada,</i> it has an initial run of 13 shows, scheduled to air Tuesday evenings. W broadcast the first two episodes back to back last night.

Aficionados of timeless beauty will be thrilled to discover that this magnificent shot, showing a young, full-figured goddess with a generous bust, full waist, and curvy hips and thighs, dressed in attractive unmentionables, was the program's opening visual:<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap002.jpg"></center><p>That's right--Canadian plus-size model/actress Christina Schmidt is the main professional model on <i>How To Look Good Naked Canada.</I> And the show obviously knows what a gem it has in her, as her runway appearance provided the lead-in to the premiere episode. Little wonder, since her figure is so voluptuous and buxom. No <i>Sports Illustrated</I> swim-waif could hold a candle to her.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap008.jpg"></center><p>In fact, one encounters various teasers showing Christina throughout the first episode. One shot features Miss Schmidt and her fellow professional models applauding to encourage the show's "real" women to take to the catwalk.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap023.jpg"></center><p>Then, before the commercial break, another teaser of Christina in lingerie turns up--to make sure that every single viewers remains absolutely riveted to the station, and doesn't even think of turning the channel.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap056.jpg"></center><p>The runway-show portions don't appear until the last ten minutes of each episode, but oh, are they ever worth waiting for. Christina is the first model to walk in each segment. First, she showcases a tunic-like, earth-toned outfit.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap028.jpg"></center><p>Forum readers who viewed the videos in <a href="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/board/showthread.php?t=1620" target="_blank">this</a> thread last year, showing Christina walking the catwalk at a local Toronto fashion show, will already know what a brilliant runway model she is. She is poised, self-assured, graceful, and walks like a veteran of countless Paris and Milan fashion weeks.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap034.jpg"></center><p>But what Christina has that the clothes-hanger skeletons lack, of course, is a luscious, womanly figure. Additionally, consider the stunning beauty of her doll-like countenance, with her famously high, round cheekbones (softened by facial fullness), and how her face is framed by that voluminous mane of hair.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap035.jpg"></center><p>Observe the contours of her profile as she turns on the catwalk.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap037.jpg"></center><p>Christina also appears in several of the backstage shots--e.g., in the background of this screencap.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap046.jpg"></center><p>At long last, the time comes for the highlight of the show--the lingerie portion. Again, Miss Schmidt walks first--and the cameraman cannot resist lingering over every curve of her sumptuous, well-fed figure.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap068.jpg"></center><p>The show's guests surely derive as much confidence from seeing Christina walking the runway with such aplomb as they do from the program's various esteem-boosting activities.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap065.jpg"></center><p>She radiates self-satisfaction, glowing with pride in her own soft beauty.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap075.jpg"></center><p>She senses all eyes gazing upon her, every viewer rapt with adoration. Observe her smile--one of the most dazzling smiles of any model in the industry. And notice the lush curves around her waist--her most sensual figure feature.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap078.jpg"></center><p>The episode concludes with the models cheering the show's guest for her courage. Christina graciously joins in the enthusiasm, her beauty completely outshining that of everyone else on stage.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn01/cap087.jpg"></center><p>A 3-minute YouTube video showing Christina's portions of the episode appears at the following link:

- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlIjQ7_3ucA" target="_blank">Click here to watch ep.1 excerpts</a> (VIDEO)<p><center>* * *</center><p>Having attracted the entire male Canadian TV viewership with the first episode's exciting Christina-in-lingerie clips, the show's producers didn't feel the need to show more teaser shots of Miss Schmidt in the second. This time, Christina fans had to wait until the final runway segment to see their beloved starlet.

Here she is being glamourized by the show's hair/makeup team. One can almost hear the stylist saying, "Perfection."<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn02/cap097.jpg"></center><p>The runway clips for the first two episodes were obviously taken from the same live event, as the second episode's catwalk sequence begins with more shots of Christina in her earth-tone outfit.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn02/cap099.jpg"></center><p>Even in loose clothing, Christina's opulent curves are evident.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn02/cap103.jpg"></center><p>Her figure forms the clothing into an alluring shape, compelling it to embrace her curvy midsection and womanly hips.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn02/cap107.jpg"></center><p>A profile shot displays her buxom contours.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn02/cap109.jpg"></center><p>This time, we are treated to a second casual outfit--a multicoloured tunic-top/denim combo.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn02/cap110.jpg"></center><p>Perhaps future episodes will show more glimpses of Christina modelling this ensemble.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn02/cap113.jpg"></center><p>The premiere episode appropriated the lion's share of Christina's lingerie footage, but the producers obviously realized that the second show also needed a few shots of Miss Schmidt at her seductive best.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn02/cap114.jpg"></center><p>Watching these clips, one dearly wishes that <i>V Magazine</I> had flown in Christina for their "Curves Ahead" editorial.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn02/cap116.jpg"></center><p>This episode too ends with an "applause" sequence. Notice, however, that this time, the cameraman caught Miss Schmidt with a pensive, dramatic look on her face. The emotional intensity of her gaze further augments her beauty.<p><center><img src="http://www.judgmentofparis.com/cs/htlgn02/cap120.jpg"></center><p>Christina's clips from the second episode are also available in an online video, linked below:

- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHyNhMcHrFk" target="_blank">Click here to watch ep.2 excerpts</a> (VIDEO)<p><center>* * *</center><p><i>How To Look Good Naked Canada</I> is an entertaining, empowering program with a positive message. Although it focusses on "real" women, the show wisely selected Christina--a supremely gorgeous professional model--to appear in its runway segments. In the midst of so much "reality," Miss Schmidt embodies an aspirational ideal, the <i>ne plus ultra</i> of well-fed femininity, a model whom all plus-size women can reference and say, <i>"See? <strong>Our</strong> supermodel is more gorgeous than any </i>Vogue<I> girl."</I>

Hopefully the Canadian edition of this successful program will prove to be every bit as popular as its international counterparts, and will show the Canadian public the true face--and figure--of timeless beauty.

I watched both episodes last night, and found the show surprisingly moving. Much of its appeal depends on the likability of the women being made over. The first episode was a bit odd, but the second was quite touching. At first, the woman was in absolute tears about her appearance, and kept saying how much she hated herself. By the end of the episode, though, she'd come to accept and maybe even like her curvy figure. It was quite a transformation.

Not all of the show's style tips and photo tips are 100% size-celebratory, but all in all, it's a great program.

Christina looks absolutely gorgeous. Really, she's the reason to watch the show. She's one of the most beautiful models I've ever seen (especially in lingerie), and a catwalk natural. The other models (even the other agency models) were so-so on the runway, but she walked with style, like she was in her element. I can't wait to see more of her in this series.